7 days / 6 nights
Active
Private Group
Small Group
Kingdoms of Navarra
Aragon
Plots, betrayal, revenge and war: the intertwined history of Navarra and Aragon is truly dramatic and rivals anything imagined for fiction. We cycle through the two medieval kingdoms to showcase the fascinating paths that unite them and explore their thousand-year-old history. Riding through gorges, undulating olive groves, and flower bedecked meadows, a mountain bike provides us with the perfect way to travel in this corner of northern Spain. We combine mountain biking with history, gastronomy and culture on this medieval-themed adventure.
April, May, June, August, September, October, November
● Steep yourself in medieval history and feel the era come alive.
● Stay in signature hotels, most of which are converted from castles and monasteries.
● Sample Navarra and Aragon dishes in a 13th century towns.
● Visit and wine tasting at an exclusive Navarra winery.
● Cycle across the UNESCO Navarre Bardenas Desert.
This enchanting territory and our immersive tours are well worth the discovery, and we can make your vacations unique and memorable, so come and join us on one when it’s optimal for you.
We customize to fit with fabulous experiences, the comfort of great accommodation, out-of-this-world gastronomy and a chance to discover this spectacular region.
We begin with a meet and greet welcome, a chance to size up your bikes to fit and take you for a spin in the direction of the Navarra Pyrenees. Transfer from Bilbao Airport to Pamplona. Afternoon pleasures include a meet and greet welcome with wine and some pinchos (what we call tapas in Northern Spain, a chance to size up your bikes to fit. We provide you with a list of our favourite restaurants and make any reservations you request. This is a non-riding day.
Food: Welcoming pinchos and wines
Ride the best portion of: Non-riding day
Sleep: Four Star Hotel & Spa ****
We will ride along the Javierada Pilgrims Way that takes us to the 10th century mediaeval castle of Javier. We follow the Irati River to the beautiful Lumbier gorge, where a vulture sanctuary ensures we will see them sailing overhead on windy spirals. Upon arrival, we will visit the Javier Castle, then transfer to your hotel within the grounds of the Romanesque monastery in the kingdom of Navarre. Afternoon pleasures include a visit to the Leyre Monastery and the graves of the astounding mediaeval Navarre Kings, then, as the sun goes down on the monastery church we listen to the resident Benedictine monks sing Gregorian chants. We have dinner and stay in the monastery.
Food: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Ride the best portion of: Pamplona / Javier Castle / Monasterio de Leyre
Sleep: Hotel in an authentic Monastery ***
How far: 23 miles / 35 km
We cycle through a landscape of beautiful almond trees and rolling hills to the mediaeval town of Sos del Rey Católico, which was founded in the year 900. Afternoon pleasures off the bike include a visit their pretty historic quarter before enjoy an excursion to the Roman ruins of Santa Criz in the middle of nature, and wine tasting at the Michelin Star menu wine winery of Bodegas Caudalia paired with spicy Navarre chorizo with the owners of the winery. We will enjoy an in-house dinner in Sos to end the day.
Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ride the best portions of: Monasterio de Leyre / Sos del Rey Católico
Sleep: Hotel Parador ****
How far: 23 miles / 35 km
After a top breakfast we will cycle to our accommodation, a mediaeval castle fit for a king in Olite. Along the way, we will be stopping in one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, Ujué. Here is your chance to try their famous ‘migas de pastor’, shepherd’s crumbs. Afternoon pleasures include tickets to the Olite castle, one of Spain’s more interesting castles, exploring its courtyards, royal chambers and towers. Enjoy dinner on your own in the town of Olite. We provide you with a list of our favourite restaurants and make any reservations you request.
Food: Breakfast, and picnic lunch
Ride the best portions of: Sos del Rey / Ujué / Olite
Sleep: Hotel Parador Olite ****
How far: 23 miles / 35 km
After a fine breakfast, we will transfer to the heart of the Navarre Bardenas desert, a UNESCO desert that boasts unique formations and abruptly changing landscapes, forming canyons and plateaus moulded by a famous dry wind called the cierzo. The many layers of reds, golds, oranges and white reveal the erosion of clay, chalk and sandstone over many geological eras. Our final destination is Uncastillo, in mediaeval Aragon, the land of kings and queens, to the magical town of Uncastillo, Aragon. We visit the impressive villa where Ferdinand the Catholic was born, perhaps the most famous king in Spanish history. Take time to explore the hotel or mediaeval Uncastillo, then re-group for dinner.
Food: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Ride the best portions of: Olite / Bardenas Desert / Uncastillo
Sleep: Three Star Hotel***
How far: 28 miles / 45 km.
We will cycle from one mediaeval village to the next, each with their own castle, fortress church and defensive towers. The cycling on this day will likely be your favourite of all.Afternoon pleasures include a swim in the solar heated outdoor pool that boasts of spectacular views of the Riglos de Mallos red rock walls. We will enjoy an in-house dinner.
Food: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Ride the best portions of: Uncastillo / Murillo de Gallego
Sleep: Four Star Hotel ****
How far: 23 miles / 35 km
We will cycle from Murillo de Gállego to Loarre castle. We will enjoy a visit of the castle and picnic lunch, then transfer back to Pamplona. Our cycling journey ends with a walking visit to Pamplona, followed by an early evening in the historic quarter with a culinary experience show cooking in a private gastronomy club to learn how to make and then enjoy traditional Navarran dishes. We’ll assist in arranging your transportation to the nearest airport or train station for your onward travels.
Food: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Travel: Murillo de Gallego / Pamplona
Ride the best portions of:Murillo de Gallego to Loarre Castle
How far: 23 miles / 35 km
* NST itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
This four star hotel + spa personalized and sophisticated for maximum comfort, making this hotel the quiet oasis from the city of Pamplona. A decorative symphony of elegance and exclusivity. The fusion of stone, wood, velvet, works of art and furniture of exclusive design create a warm unique atmosphere. At the foothills of the Pyrenees, we can begin to peddle from the moment we step out the door.
This charming hotel is within an authentic Benedictine monastery and forms part of a complex that is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and art. The Monasterio de Leyre is one of the most important monuments in Navarra. It is an outstanding out-of-the-box destination and one of the treasures of our adventure into the Kingdoms of the North.
Stephanie, the dynamo of our organization, is a Canadian who has fallen in love with this region of Spain. She is enterprising, innovative and has an endless amount of energy to design unique outstanding travel plans, making her passion her profession. She has the firm conviction that until the product standards are exceptional, they should not be offered.
“Our goals are two: one is to dazzle our visitors and another is to share with them what we find so extremely enchanting about this region of Spain”.
Oliver is our greatest ambassador of Pamplona. Oliver has it all: charm, conversation and deep knowledge of his Basque culture. You will feel like you’ve made a new friend during one of his energetic tours. Oliver is always on the beat searching for the perfect pintxo and exciting, outside-the-box experiences. He is dedicated to designing the most exclusive events for our guests, such as the Hemingway to the Basque Coast tour, or a walking tour of the Running of the Bulls course with an international bull runner. He knows the all the best destinations and activities on the off-the-beaten cultural track.
“This is our essential hallmark that sets us apart from any other events agency”.
